icloud Adds Mobile Access

icloud, a “web operating system” with a growing selection of apps that can be included in a customizable virtual workspace, is now offering mobile apps for iOS and Android, and has updated its mobile website.

The icloud app includes access to files, document viewing, and uploading of photos directly from mobile device cameras. The iPhone version enables you to directly share any file from your phone and email it as a link using the iPhone’s built-in email.

icloud also has an “Easy Upload” system to keep desktop computers synced with icloud, similar to what’s offered by Dropbox and Egnyte, among many others.

icloud has matured considerably since Simon wrote about it over a year ago. It’s not an operating system like Chrome OS or Jolicloud, but works in a browser. The service is now operational in multiple desktop and laptop browsers and operating systems, as long as Java has been installed. I’ve tried it in Chrome on a Mac, and it seems stable and reasonably speedy.

In addition, beyond the basic productivity apps Simon talked about, there are more apps that work within icloud’s operating system, including IM, RSS and Twitter apps; business trend and money-management apps; a bunch of games; audio, video and internet radio players; and a system for developing your own custom icloud apps.

The free version includes 3 GB of storage space, but you can purchase a premium account with 100 GB of storage for $39.99 per year.

Of course, there are now lots of web-based options for being productive away from one’s office computer. We’ve covered a large number of options for syncing files, contacts, to-do lists, and calendars with mobile devices. But if you like the idea of having a “workspace in the cloud” that you can customize to meet your needs, you might want to try icloud.